Gavin Schall here, the host of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The Knicks Bounce Back With a Dominant Win Over the Raptors
Jan 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner/Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks delivered a much-needed statement win against the Toronto Raptors, bouncing back from their disappointing loss to the Orlando Magic. The final score of 112-98 doesn’t fully capture the Knicks’ dominance, as they led by a wider margin before garbage time set in.
OG Anunoby was the standout performer, continuing his trend of torching his former team. He put up an impressive 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Anunoby’s aggressive play was a welcome sight, especially considering his recent slump. His performance included a variety of offensive moves, from quick-trigger corner threes to powerful drives to the basket.
Karl-Anthony Towns made a triumphant return to the lineup, matching Anunoby’s 27 points while adding 13 rebounds. Despite some visible discomfort from his recent knee injury, Towns showcased his toughness and versatility. His presence on the court was a stark reminder of how much the Knicks missed him in their previous game.
Jalen Brunson, despite a relatively quiet scoring night, orchestrated the offense masterfully. The Raptors’ defensive strategy of double-teaming Brunson backfired, as he consistently found open teammates and created scoring opportunities. His playmaking was crucial in breaking down the Raptors’ defense and setting up easy baskets for his teammates.
The Knicks’ defense was particularly impressive, with all five starters putting in strong efforts on that end of the floor. Brunson, in particular, showed increased defensive intensity, flying around the court and making key plays.
Josh Hart had a standout game, notching a season-high in offensive rebounds and providing his usual energy and hustle. His ability to attack mismatches and finish at the rim was on full display.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ bounce-back performance, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
The Cavs, the Thunder, and the joy of a job well done
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | Ken Blaze/Imagn Images
The ESPN broadcast had its usual coach interview at the start of the fourth quarter, but the dialogue was far from typical. Instead of anodyne coach-speak, a smiling Kenny Atkinson marveled at the basketball being played before him.
“What a great basketball game,” the Cavaliers coach gushed. “I wish I could just sit back and watch it.”
As someone who did precisely that, I can say that Atkinson sure wasn’t wrong.
Cleveland/OKC had something for everyone. There were loud dunks, post moves, occasional but far from overwhelming flurries of three-pointers, high-level shotmaking, ping-pong ball movement, and great all-around defense (despite what the final score might indicate).
The major players exerted maximum effort on both sides and played more than their usual share of minutes. Coaches unveiled tactical adjustments at a lightning pace, counters to counters at a rate you usually only see in the playoffs. There was even a lot of zone defense (which, if you read Basketball Poetry, you would’ve been prepared for!). The refs were largely inobtrusive and inconsequential.
Frankly, if you didn’t like this game, there’s not much hope for you.
Something that struck me halfway through an exquisite third quarter: everyone on the court was simply doing their job. I don’t love how that sentence reads on paper; it makes it sound like a dull affair, people clocking in and clocking out before going to a chain bar with flashing neon signs instead of character for their preferred domestic light pilsner of choice.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. What is an NBA player’s job if not to entertain?
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis A look at the state of zone defense in the NBA. Who’s running it, and who isn’t? (Basketball Poetry)
Must Read NBA greats think this D-II coach is a basketball genius. So why don’t you know who Jim Crutchfield is? (The Athletic)
Analysis Is this the worst rookie class in modern NBA history? Jared Dubin examines box-score production to compare this year’s rookies to the past. (Last Night in Basketball)
Personnel Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau emphasizes his role as a servant leader for his players, focusing on fostering a supportive environment. His approach is pivotal for the team’s cohesion and success. More on Thibodeau’s philosophy. (Posting and Toasting)
Replay In a dominant second half, the Knicks surged to secure a 112-98 victory over the Raptors. Key performances from the roster highlighted their strategic execution and depth. Relive the game. (Posting and Toasting)
Fans OG Anunoby captured hearts with his performance against his former team, sparking enthusiastic reactions from the crowd as the Knicks triumphed over the Raptors. Check out these fan reactions. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis Victor Wembanyama has entered the MVP conversation, surpassing Steph Curry. This shift could have significant implications for the Knicks’ standing in the league. Here’s the in-depth analysis. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players and Surprising Drops
Jan 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti/John Hefti-Imagn Images
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, it’s crucial to stay on top of the fantasy basketball waiver wire. Let’s dive into the most added and dropped players over the last 48 hours, and discuss some must-roster options for your fantasy teams.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. tops the list of most added players on Basketball Monster. While he’s had two solid games recently, I’m cautious about his long-term value, especially if Jimmy Butler is traded. Remember, any incoming player in a Butler trade could easily take over his role and minutes.
Ryan Dunn is another popular add, likely due to the Suns’ five-game week. However, he’s not a long-term hold for 12-team leagues. Use him for the extra games this week, but be prepared to move on quickly.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is seeing increased opportunities with Paul George out, making him a solid short-term add. Naji Marshall has also been playing well and is worth considering, despite a recent poor shooting night.
Mikal Bridges And The New York Knicks ANNIHILATE The Memphis Grizzlies
The New York Knicks decimated the Memphis Grizzlies with a commanding 143-106 victory, showcasing their ridiculously high two-way ceiling. Mikal Bridges delivered an exceptional performance, locking down Ja Morant on one end and showing the full breadth of his offensive game on the other. OG Anunoby’s defensive prowess and Karl-Anthony Towns’ strong second-half performance were pivotal, while the Knicks’ bench players, including Precious Achiuwa and Deuce McBride, contributed significantly to the win in their best collective performance of the season. Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe break down the Knicks’ most complete game of the season highlighting key moments and player contributions that could redefine their year.
The Knicks DEMOLISH the Kings In One Of Their Best Offensive Games This Season
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks 143-120 win over the Kings, one where the Knicks’ offense reached some of its highest highs of this season. Josh Hart notched yet another triple-double, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges both cooked on the same night, and Jalen Brunson showed his floor general chops with another brilliant passing night.
Jalen Brunson And Karl-Anthony Towns Are All-Star Starters! Are They Top 15 Players In The League?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe celebrate the Knicks having two All-Star starters for the first time in 50 years! They breakdown the vote and some surprising finishes for the other Knicks before asking a very important question. Are Brunson and KAT both Top 15 players in the league?
